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Saturday, May 27, 2017

Maintenance Tips to Follow After House Painting

House painting is best left in the hands of the professionals as an experienced team of painters Christchurch NZ can completely recreate the exterior of your home. But once the paint has dried, it is up to homeowners to maintain their new exterior. Here are some helpful hints on how to take care of the ongoing issues that could affect the outside of your home.

Eliminating Dirt

Both chalk and dirt can accumulate on a home over the course of time. This is a result of wind blowing both dust and dirt onto the outside of a home. Paint also has a tendency to release a substance that resembles chalk. This will bring about the need for an occasional cleaning in which the use of a mild detergent is recommended. Power washers can also be used to eliminate the buildup up dirt.

Removing Mold

Both mold and mildew can form on the exterior of homes, particularly in areas that get a limited amount of sunlight. Dampness can also accelerate the growth of mold. While this issue may look unsightly, there is a relatively easy fix. Creating a mixture that is ¾ water and ¼ bleach will do the trick. Brush or spray this mixture onto the parts of a home’s exterior that are affected by mold. It will begin to kill the mold and, in some cases, it may take a few coats before the mold completely fades.

Fighting Efflorescence

Efflorescence is a type of salt deposit that can form on porous surfaces such as external plaster but, more typically found on masonry. However, a few factors must be present for this problem to arise including excessive moisture seeping through the stone. When this happens to a building's exterior it can create problems in the form of powdery blemishes. The first step would be to locate the problem area and remove the powder with a wire brush. There are also primers that are designed to specifically protect against this kind of problem. Apply that primer as needed.

Knowing Which Areas to Address

Cheaper paints will show earlier signs of wear before higher quality paints. No paint lasts forever, although certain areas of a home’s exterior may be more problematic than others. That is why it is important to make a note of the paint is chalking, chipping or peeling. An extra coat or two of new paint for added protection on those areas could extend the life of a paint job.

IEX Plaster & Construction can take care of all your house painting needs in Christchurch and the surrounding areas. Our team of professionals specializes in interior and exterior house painting and plastering on all types of buildings in Upper Riccarton and the neighboring communities.